Bicycle Middle Kingdom Black And White Playing Cards Set

"Middle Kingdom" was used to refer to civilizations around the Yellow River Valley before the empires leading to modern-day China began to form. The court cards use exquisitely detailed line art of Chinese deities and people, while the card back is a great freehand drawing with interpretations of Chinese lattice borders and of course, a dragon.  China's vast history provides a rich palette of subjects for court cards.  King of Hearts: Pangu, the first living being and creator of the Earth from chaos  King of Diamonds: Caishen, the main Chinese deity of prosperity  King of Clubs: Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, creator of the centralized state  King of Spades: Tai Di, the "Primordial Divinity" or "Utmost God"  Queen of Hearts: He Xiangu, an immortal renowned for her selfless caring for others  Queen of Diamonds: Lan Caihe, an immortal portrayed sometimes as a man dressed as a woman and other times as a woman, Lan Caihe was said to have ridden to heaven on the back of a magical swan whil